Brochure from the AD...

[BGSU33]

[quote="Falconfreak90"]It's hard to describe in words but if the new Convo looks like that drawing, it will be freakin SWEET!!!!quote]

That is a pretty nice design if we are going that direction for the convocation center. I like the interior design, layout, structure, etc. I would imagine that is the route we are going or it probably wouldn't be pictured in this brochure.

[redskins4ever]

the master plan...

http://www.bgsu.edu/downloads/finance/file41467.pdf

Well at least the most recent version I can find for the entire campus.

[The Niz]

At the meetings before the basketball games Christopher said the actual arena is looking almost nothing like that concept drawing at this point. While that drawing is very sparkly, I can find tons of things I don't like about it. GC can too apparently. He assured us that the new arena will basically be a bright shiny fancy new AA with all the bells and whistles.

[Falconfreak90]

Anyone else get this sweet brochure in the mail? It details the workings of the athletic department and how the teams have done over the last few years...included budget news as well.

There was a drawing of what the new Convo center may look like as well as a drawing of the ice arena. It's hard to describe in words but if the new Convo looks like that drawing, it will be freakin SWEET!!!! The IA has a BiG digital scoreboard and video board at the open and looks like the roof was raised.

Great stuff....I appreciate GC sending this stuff out to keep us updated...

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!

Mike, See the thread "reaching for the next level"...It makes reference to what you're talking about.... We WILL see you on Mar.1, along with 2 of our friends, who decided to come after all...The wives may decide NOT to go to the hockey game (Joyce isn't enthralled with "freezing" after 2 BB games), but Bob and I are definitely in...did you get he Alumni outing info on this, including the wings and sub party? If not, let me know and I'll forward the info to you. 8)

Den,

There is a good chance I WON'T be able to go now. Josh is supposed to have a band and choir concert that day and, if he does, I'll have to miss the triple header. Josh wants to go to BG and is going to find out if he HAS to be there. If not, we're there! I've done a good job raising the Freaklings. LOL

[JoeFalcon]

Increasing private funding and enhancing existing revenue streams is all well and good, but there needs to be a larger commitment from the University itself to upgrade the basic operating budget. Last in the MAC by almost $2 million doesn't cut it. The line on page 10 is the most essential: "Institutional support for athletics within the broader framework of the campus budget." That means you, Administration and Board of Trustees. We appear to have plently of advocates for athletics on the Board, including Mike Marsh and Mr. Sebo. Are their voices being drowned out or ignored?

The sentence on Page 8 also lays it on the line: "Given the landscape of university priorities and state funding, any major capital project at BGSU will need to be funded primarily by private support." You can't control state funding, but you can control what you prioritize on the University level. After forty years, it's time to put the athletic program at the top of the list. They should start with getting the operating budget up to par and go from there.

[transfer2BGSU]

Increasing private funding and enhancing existing revenue streams is all well and good, but there needs to be a larger commitment from the University itself to upgrade the basic operating budget.

And how do you propose doing that?

Tuition and fees for next year will be the same as this year. They cannot raise more money by raising these.

Residence halls need to be renovated and repaired.

Classrooms need to be renovated and repaired as well.

Faculty wages are still lagging behind other institutions.

Do you know how expensive it is for heat and electricity? What about the rising cost of fuel and the clamor for expanding the shuttle service to run downtown? Where is all of this money going to come from?

The Board of Regents provides funding for academics. You and I (and others on this board in addition to GC and his fund raisers) are going to be responsible for funding athletics at the level we would like to see our program perform

[Flipper]

I was a amazed at the quality and scope of the document...I have been associated with the University since 1979 and I don't recall ever seeing anythinng that spelled out the case for a great financial committment.

Well done!!

[JoeFalcon]

Increasing private funding and enhancing existing revenue streams is all well and good, but there needs to be a larger commitment from the University itself to upgrade the basic operating budget.

And how do you propose doing that?

Tuition and fees for next year will be the same as this year. They cannot raise more money by raising these.

Residence halls need to be renovated and repaired.

Classrooms need to be renovated and repaired as well.

Faculty wages are still lagging behind other institutions.

Do you know how expensive it is for heat and electricity? What about the rising cost of fuel and the clamor for expanding the shuttle service to run downtown? Where is all of this money going to come from?

The Board of Regents provides funding for academics. You and I (and others on this board in addition to GC and his fund raisers) are going to be responsible for funding athletics at the level we would like to see our program perform

So every other MAC school can find a couple extra million (or in Buffalo's case, 5 million) to fund athletics but us? Please. We've been pouring millions of millions of dollars year after year into projects that address many of the issues you cite and a bunch of others as well. It's time for athletics to get their turn in the form of a decent operating budget consistent with their peer institutions. I don't think that's too much to ask.

[redskins4ever]

Increasing private funding and enhancing existing revenue streams is all well and good, but there needs to be a larger commitment from the University itself to upgrade the basic operating budget.

And how do you propose doing that?

Tuition and fees for next year will be the same as this year. They cannot raise more money by raising these.

Residence halls need to be renovated and repaired.

Classrooms need to be renovated and repaired as well.

Faculty wages are still lagging behind other institutions.

Do you know how expensive it is for heat and electricity? What about the rising cost of fuel and the clamor for expanding the shuttle service to run downtown? Where is all of this money going to come from?

The Board of Regents provides funding for academics. You and I (and others on this board in addition to GC and his fund raisers) are going to be responsible for funding athletics at the level we would like to see our program perform

I believe Bowling Green is missing out on THEIR SINGLE BIGGEST FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY as a University. Their mission besides being a provider of excellent undergraduate education, should be to become the most "Green" University in the United States. I'd push for partnerships with any and every efficiency company in the country to come and invest on my campus. You have an idea, you want to try something out, come test here. Become the center of "Green" Technology. Ohio has amazing manufacturing skill that is going unused, but should be transferred over into building Wind Turbines. There are two Solar companies in Toledo from which to choose from.

A University that is desperate for cash, not that all state universities aren't gasping for air, should partner up with businesses. BG's master plan calls to build more efficient and new student housing, with New Student Greens. Collaborating with these other firms would do a couple of things. One, its great press for any company that is partnering with a university and can build future relations with other universities who have high utility costs and need to curtail their expenses. Two, its becomes a way to identify BGSU in a way that is different than any other campus in Ohio, the Midwest, and possibly the nation. Three, incoming freshmen are well aware of the environment and may end up choosing BG because of their environmental awareness. Four, new courses and new programs could be built around this endeavor and could breathe new life into the university.

The one thing I wish that politicans in Columbus relaized, is that building new is always cheaper than rehabbing a building, although it might not be as green. The cost savings long term always out weighs the upfront costs.

So picture dorms that have lights powered by the sun, cooling provided by the sun, geothermal heat in the winter, Light Wells allowing natural light to pour through buildings. This isn't some far off fantasy it could be done with the right vision.

[transfer2BGSU]

So every other MAC school can find a couple extra million (or in Buffalo's case, 5 million) to fund athletics but us? Please. We've been pouring millions of millions of dollars year after year into projects that address many of the issues you cite and a bunch of others as well. It's time for athletics to get their turn in the form of a decent operating budget consistent with their peer institutions. I don't think that's too much to ask.

It's called PRIORITIES.

You think Dr. Ribeau wouldn't love to find a couple of extra million dollars for our use?

We have many pressing needs. It appears that you prioritize Athletics as being most important. I prioritize academics and student life as most important (which puts Athletics as being important because it is a part of student life but not the only thing).

But again, where is that money to come from? We can't put all of the burden on our students by increasing their general fee. It's easier for the administration to come to the supporters of the program and make the pitch for increased donations to the Falcon Club and to different projects (much like they do for the building of new facilities like the Wolfe Center for the Performing Arts).

And I agree with our friend from Miami (OH), we really should look at partnering with some of these green companies. Look at the plans Dr. Neckers has for a new photochemical sciences building!

QUESTION:What can you and I do?

ANSWER:Play MegaMillions and Powerball and hope we win!!!

[Class of 61]

Increasing private funding and enhancing existing revenue streams is all well and good, but there needs to be a larger commitment from the University itself to upgrade the basic operating budget.

And how do you propose doing that?

Tuition and fees for next year will be the same as this year. They cannot raise more money by raising these.

Residence halls need to be renovated and repaired.

Classrooms need to be renovated and repaired as well.

Faculty wages are still lagging behind other institutions.

Do you know how expensive it is for heat and electricity? What about the rising cost of fuel and the clamor for expanding the shuttle service to run downtown? Where is all of this money going to come from?

The Board of Regents provides funding for academics. You and I (and others on this board in addition to GC and his fund raisers) are going to be responsible for funding athletics at the level we would like to see our program perform

I believe Bowling Green is missing out on THEIR SINGLE BIGGEST FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY as a University. Their mission besides being a provider of excellent undergraduate education, should be to become the most "Green" University in the United States. I'd push for partnerships with any and every efficiency company in the country to come and invest on my campus. You have an idea, you want to try something out, come test here. Become the center of "Green" Technology. Ohio has amazing manufacturing skill that is going unused, but should be transferred over into building Wind Turbines. There are two Solar companies in Toledo from which to choose from.

A University that is desperate for cash, not that all state universities aren't gasping for air, should partner up with businesses. BG's master plan calls to build more efficient and new student housing, with New Student Greens. Collaborating with these other firms would do a couple of things. One, its great press for any company that is partnering with a university and can build future relations with other universities who have high utility costs and need to curtail their expenses. Two, its becomes a way to identify BGSU in a way that is different than any other campus in Ohio, the Midwest, and possibly the nation. Three, incoming freshmen are well aware of the environment and may end up choosing BG because of their environmental awareness. Four, new courses and new programs could be built around this endeavor and could breathe new life into the university.

The one thing I wish that politicans in Columbus relaized, is that building new is always cheaper than rehabbing a building, although it might not be as green. The cost savings long term always out weighs the upfront costs.

So picture dorms that have lights powered by the sun, cooling provided by the sun, geothermal heat in the winter, Light Wells allowing natural light to pour through buildings. This isn't some far off fantasy it could be done with the right vision.

I would agree with your basic concept...that BG could truly be Bowling GREEN....why not start by adding the wind farm concept that currently exists West of town? If there's one CONSISTENT factor in BG, it's usually the WIND.

[JoeFalcon]

So every other MAC school can find a couple extra million (or in Buffalo's case, 5 million) to fund athletics but us? Please. We've been pouring millions of millions of dollars year after year into projects that address many of the issues you cite and a bunch of others as well. It's time for athletics to get their turn in the form of a decent operating budget consistent with their peer institutions. I don't think that's too much to ask.

It's called PRIORITIES.

You think Dr. Ribeau wouldn't love to find a couple of extra million dollars for our use?

We have many pressing needs. It appears that you prioritize Athletics as being most important. I prioritize academics and student life as most important (which puts Athletics as being important because it is a part of student life but not the only thing).

But again, where is that money to come from? We can't put all of the burden on our students by increasing their general fee. It's easier for the administration to come to the supporters of the program and make the pitch for increased donations to the Falcon Club and to different projects (much like they do for the building of new facilities like the Wolfe Center for the Performing Arts).

And I agree with our friend from Miami (OH), we really should look at partnering with some of these green companies. Look at the plans Dr. Neckers has for a new photochemical sciences building!

QUESTION:What can you and I do?

ANSWER:Play MegaMillions and Powerball and hope we win!!!

It is about priorities. It's not about putting sports ahead of academics, it's about putting sports on an even playing field with our competitors. Athletics is a crucial part of the university and hasn't been prioritized for forty years. Like the document said, successful sports programs benefit the university in a host of ways, including institutional perception, quality of student life and student recruitment.

The university has spent millions of dollars in the past four decades prioritizing and upgrading a host of other areas. Maybe certain budgets can grow at a 4% rate instead of a 6% rate. (MegaMillions? I'm in!) The athletic deparmtent is like the kid in class who is constantly raising his hand while the teacher calls on other students. Well, our athletic deparmtent has had their hand raised for 40 years and it's about time they are answered.

$2 million dollars behind the next lowest MAC budget is unacceptable under any circumstance, and if any other part of the university was neglected for this long, their advocates would be screaming from the rooftops.

[Falconfreak90]

I was a amazed at the quality and scope of the document...I have been associated with the University since 1979 and I don't recall ever seeing anythinng that spelled out the case for a great financial committment.

Well done!!

That's a good point, Flip. I was very impressed with the brochure. This wasn't just printed up at Kinko's on Saturday night. I fully support GC and his efforts. IMO, he understands what it takes to compete yearly at this level. Seeing BG at the bottom in terms of budget and then seeing our scores with the Reese and Jacby Trophies? Hmmmm....

I donate as much as I can. I'd love to give BGSU 25K a year but that isn't realistic at this time. But I intend to give as much as possible. Playing an extra $5 for 50/50 tickets...buying the Freaklings new hats and stuff every trip up. Football season tickets, FC membership, Sebo donation...wherever I can throw a few bucks, I will.

I do have Mega Millions tix thru work so if we win, GC will get a call from me first thing Monday AM...after I pay off my sisters' houses and ours.

We, the fans, alumni and others must do what we can to help out...but the University needs to step up it's commitment to athletics as well. There is no reason we cannot be just as proud of our athletic success as the academic success.

GO FALCONS